ipad pro smart keyboard replacement

Your keyboard is covered by a standard one year Apple warranty. If yours is now outside of that warranty you’ll need to pay for a replacement. There is no extended service program listed for the Smart Keyboard at Apple’s web site - Exchange + Repair Extension Programs - Apple Support

anyone having issue with their smart keyboard, take it into an Apple store or online support chat, and they’ll set you up with a replacement if done within a reasonable timeframe from purchase, believe they extended warranty to around 3 years. I had no problem getting a replacement but did it by mail so they pre-charged my credit card until I returned my defective one back, not good but was not interested in going to the nearest Apple store.

One key thing to keep in mind to minimize this problem, use keyboard on flat solid surface, using on your lap flexes the connect strip that causes the issue and Apple does not seem to be interested in fixing the problem for longer life & less defective units recycled or discarded in landfills. the newer gen smart folio keyboards looks like they might be more durable but if you have the older gen iPad Prod like me, the first gen defective smart keyboard design is all you get.

just to confirm any doubt, I was able to get a replacement keyboard sent to me thru Apple Support chat with no problem, and they did put a charge on my credit card until I return my defective one.

Only thing they could not answer is if the new smart keyboard has the known defect resolved, which I’ve read in other comments has something to do with magnetic strip & smart connect on the keyboard, they really need to re-enforce & stiffen it better to not flex.

I’ve been able to get my smart keyboard to work again sometimes, if I unattach & reattach it or unattach it, power down my iPad Pro 12.9 2nd gen, power back up, then reattach the smart keyboard.

Seems to error more when my iPad Prod & smart keyboard gets moved around, especially when sitting on my lap indicating it has something to do with flexing the magnetic strip that attaches to my iPad Pro.

For the high cost of this smart keyboard/cover & not having back-lit keys, I have concerns about its durability, so I hope they improve it. Logitech provides a cheaper with back-lit key smart keyboard but ratings & comments indicate issues with it so went with the Apple smart keyboard, others rely on charging & bluetooth so not hot on that option.

What’s not true? There is no listed extended service or exchange program for the iPad Smart Keyboard. You can see for yourself no such formal program exists - https://www.apple.com/support/exchange_repair/

As is always the case, Apple employees have some discretion in how they handle any service request. I’m glad they fixed yours so promptly for you. But it is indeed true that there is no formal extended service or exchange program currently in effect for the iPad Smart Keyboard. All anyone can do if out of warranty and in the absence of a formal extension program is ask Apple what they can offer them in terms of a repair or service. Apple will then determine what options they can offer you.

Smart Keyboard Functional Issues Service Policy---

Apple will service affected keyboards free of charge for 3 years after the original purchase date.

Smart Keyboard for 9.7-inch iPad Pro (Early 2016) and Smart Keyboard for 12.9-inch iPad Pro (Late 2015)

Hi there, take it to an Apple Store. They are issued with a special magnifying glass to read the S/N on the Smart Keyboard. I’ve had the problem myself, but the Apple Store people are very understanding. I’ve also had a long-term problem with the space, h and d keys becoming inoperable until you disconnet and re-connect the keyboard. This problem seems to have gone away with the latest release of iOS. What I’m getting now is touch-screen lag with the new release (12.0.1).

This keyboard and the associated iOS code is plagued with problems, which Apple are slow to fix.

There are multiple instances & reports on-line where this particular problem - I.e. the problem on connecting the Smart Keyboard and getting a notification of “this accessory is not supported/OK” having specifically extended the usual hardware warranty due to it being a recognized product failure/defect.

It seems some have even gotten around the serial number issue on presenting directly to an Apple shop.

I checked the repair/replacement programs page and indeed there is no mention of it, but when I approched the Apple Genius I said that I heard about a program for this and he admitted that a lot of theae smart keyboards were faulty and never denied the existance of such program, It is as if they had instructions to just replace the smart keyboard if the costumer is aware of this. ( The Apple store I went to was is Paris so overseas and they still did not hesitate to replace it). All I am saying is that we need to go their knowing our rights, the product is prone to failure and they know It. Anyway, as you said Apple employees tend to Have some discretions handling costumers, that is what make their After Sale service so good.

There is ONLY Apple’s free, limited, one-year warranty on Apple accessory products.

If the smart keyboard cover was outside the one-year warranty, then you are simply out of luck and need to repurchase the keyboard cover, again.

This, also applies to the standard smart cover and Apple Pencil, too!

You CAN get a two-year extended AppleCare+ ( NOT 3 years, the 3 year extended AppleCare warranty is for Mac computers ) warranty for ANY iDevice, but you have to purchase the extended warranty at purchase time OR within 60 days of your initial iDevice purchase date.

It is what it is.

My smart keyboard was about 2 years old when the iPad started randomly giving me the "accessory not supported" message. A few months later it stopped working completely. I tried every possible fix recommended in the support forums and finally called tech support. The first call didn't get me anywhere, so a few weeks later I tried again and got a Genius Bar appointment. Just went in to the store a few days ago, explained the issues and everything I had tried, and walked out with a brand new keyboard at NO CHARGE! So there IS an extended replacement warranty in effect, and the Apple guy didn't blink twice. (I did have my original purchase receipt with the serial #.)

Actually this is not true, i just had my smart keyboard replaced a month ago and it had almost 2 years of use, the apple Genius just checked the serial number (still very readable for my case thankfully) and just brought me a brand new replacement at once, no questions asked (I had shown him the connectivity issue I was having).

Take it to Apple. No one here can help you. This is a user only forum.

Which country are you in? I am in the USA and the apple support dude told me that the extended warranty program for defective iPad Smart Keyboards no longer exists. He checked with a superior and confirmed this. I just cant believe they would cancel the program halfway through. I guess they ran out of keyboard replacements and now don’t make it anymore. Still, at least give us a refund!

I tried to avail of the extended (3 yr warranty) on my genuine iPad Pro Smart Keyboard but Apple Support refuse point blank to entertain any repair [or the more usual replacement mentioned by many others for this hardware malfunction] due to use/wear making the serial number not fully legible.

They printed this number on a faux-suede surface and it wears out with normal use. I just had the ‘top of escalation’ support guy offer me an iPad cover to keep me sweet. When I offered to add my own cash to this €60 value ‘reward’ [good long term customer] to make up the price of a new Smart Keyboard this was refused.

So..... defective Apple product [genuine gear from authorized re-seller] + fault within warranty/extended warranty period = Apple fail to honor same and weasel out of their obligations on foot of stamping the serial number in a non-permanent manner.

As a longterm Apple customer I find this opportunistic refusal of aftercare rather repulsive - why refuse to honor your own merchandise warranty? I had thought Apple would be bigger than this - at least take the product back and tell me it is genuine or not..... I am hardly going to impact their Billion dollar worth with a keyboard they probably turn out for under 50$???